I’m working on Tamiya’s M4 Sherman Early Production and am wondering about the casting numbers on the top of the hull – “D70568 LO” and then beneath there’s what looks like a copyright sign, the “c-in-a-circle.” Is that part authentic, or should I slice it off?
I can’t testify to the actual accuracy of the markings, but it is my understanding that they belong there. So the short answer is leave them on.
DO NOT SCRAPE OFF!!–those are casting part numbers and foundry part numbrs all sherms had them-they tell where each casting was made (the foundry) and it’s part number–C in a circle or octogon was one of the symbols for the east chicago, Indiana plant. http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoelstra/g104/foundry.htm -tread[8D]
Thanks Treadwell and Spamicus! I knew they were supposed to be casting marks, but the one that looks like a (c) looks too much like a (c), so I hadda ask.
When Tamiya first released this kit, their publicity made a big deal about those casting numbers. They’re supposed to be there, leave them on!
Mind you, if you do a diorama with two of these models, and enter it into a competition, make sure that you change the last digit on one of them, or watch the judges mark you down…[:D][soapbox]
Cheers,
Chris.
Here’s an area where you don’t look often
under the transmission cover on an M4A1E8. [:D]
If you want to see a pretty comprehensive tweaks list for that kit, go here
http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35190.html
There was a foundry, American Steel in East Chicago Indiana ( yes Indiana ) that was a producer of parts for the Sherman tank. It’s markings where a C inside of a Octogon. In all there where over 30 foundries that worked on the M-4 with various markings. This information came from the old Absolute Air, Land and Sea CD on the Sherman M4 Tank ( a wealth of information ) that was distributed by Tamiya many years ago. A must have for Shermaholics.
Mike